You know it's going to be a tough day on the bike when standing at registration the wind is blowing the trees.
51 riders took off in the side/tail wind over 24min from limit (first away) to scratch (last away). The field was made up of five groups of riders with similar abilities that were supposed to work together. Some must have missed the memo with groups splitting up early leaving solo riders to suffer it out in the wind.
Up front the limit riders were on song working as a tight group, new comers James Alexander, Kerry Russell, Mike Manson along with junior Jake Willis doing their turn to hold the lead. Back in the mid-field riders had grouped themselves together and were trying to chase.
Break (2nd last away) had fragmented leaving Mike White, Jack Pedler, Andrew Lienert, Neil Familton chasing hard. Between them and the front riders, the two groups of 2nd limit and mid had combined making it three groups of riders. Young Navarh Brotherston proved his worth doing some hard work along with another new rider Mike Dunn. They chimed in well with Colin Horton, Brendan Monaghan, Lachie Baird, Pete Leighton, Daryl Haggerty, Marty Lohrey.
All this didn't deter the power of scratch riders that really got on with the job. Matt Zenovich showing good form after his stint overseas along with Josh Haggerty, Luke Macpherson, Brendan Akeroyd and Sam Miller. They kept the pressure on passing groups without any sign of easing off. After riding through the whole field they finally caught limit with 3.5km to go. Game over!
At the Finish line a comment heard often was "that was tough."
Well done everyone keeping the wheels turning.
Results
1st Josh Haggerty (fastest time)
2nd Matt Zenovich
3rd Brendan Akeroyd
4th Luke Macpherson
1st female Sam Kopae
1st Junior- Jake Willis
Report courtesy Race Manager Waine Harding
Junior Race Report
Fantastic effort to all 15 Junior riders today racing in sunny but very windy conditions. Tough work out there with the head wind but all have done really well and I'm sure have learnt some great skills to take into future races. Kudos to the adult help once again riding along side the younger ones.
Wee Caitin Kelly with another great gutsy ride lead out first. With another six waves of junior riders set out at different times after. Last of was Morgan Borrie with a 16min 20s gap to close up, but he was up for the challenge. At the 7km mark gaps were starting to close Caitin still out front with a healthy 4min 50 sec lead over sister Ciara Kelly, Marshall Erwood and Reuben Heslip. A strong bunch had formed at the rear with Morgan Borrie, Camryn Akeroyd, Rhylee Akeroyd, Jaz McLeod and Quinn Naylor chasing fast. 5km further down the road at 13km mark Caitin was still holding on out in front. Quinn Naylor and Morgan Borrie had broken away and came flying past other riders and were now only 45s from the front, followed in behind by Marshall and Reuben another 40s back then Jaz and Rhylee 20s behind followed closely by Ciara Kelly.
A big finish came from Morgan Borrie out-sprinting Quinn Naylor to take first place and fastest time overall. Well done Morgan great result. Next in were Jaz McLeod and Rhylee Akeroyd battling out for third place in a great sprint off with some very weird noises.
Next weekend we have the Yunca Tour two-sstage Beast of the East and New Vale circuits. So be great for all Juniors to turn up and get a good ride in with Yunca Tour not to far around the corner.
Report courtesy of Brendon McLeod